The format of a panorama is defined in broad terms by the [[Projections|projection]] used to map the full or partial 3D scene onto a 2 dimensional print or screen. There are several types of projections in use:

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{{Glossary|The format of a panorama is defined in broad terms by the [[Projections|projection]]|1}} used to map the full or partial 3D scene onto a 2 dimensional print or screen.

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There are several types of projections in use:

=== Full Spherical Formats ===

=== Full Spherical Formats ===

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There are two main spherical formats: [[Equirectangular]] and [[Cubic Projection|Cubic]]. Both are able to display the whole sphere that surrounds as - 360� along the horizon, 90� up and 90� down. Specialized [[Panoviewer|viewers]] are needed to view spherical panoramas.

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There are two main spherical formats: [[Equirectangular]] and [[Cubic Projection|Cubic]]. Both are able to display the whole sphere that surrounds us - 360° along the horizon, 90° up and 90° down. Specialized [[Panorama Viewers|viewers]] are needed to view spherical panoramas.

The equirectangular format is widely used by a couple of [[Panorama Viewers]] as for example [[PTViewer]] and [[SPi-V]]. It consists of a single image with an [[Aspect Ratio|aspect ratio]] of 2:1 (that is, the width must be exactly twice the height).

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| The equirectangular format is widely used by a couple of [[Panorama Viewers]] as for example [[PTViewer]] and [[SPi-V]]. It consists of a single image with an [[Aspect Ratio|aspect ratio]] of 2:1 (that is, the width must be exactly twice the hight).

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| [[Image:Equirectangular.JPG|thumb|Equirectangular Panorama]]

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[[Image:Cubic.jpg|thumb|250px|cubic panorama format]]

==== Cubic ====

==== Cubic ====

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The [[Cubic Projection|cubic]] format uses 6 cube faces to fill the whole sphere around us. The image is remapped to the cubefaces which fit seamlessly.

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| The [[Cubic Projection|cubic]] format uses 6 cube faces to fill the whole sphere around us. The image is remapped to the cubefaces which fit seamlessly.

One very wide spread cubic format is [[Quicktime|QuickTime]] VR. It consists of one file containing the 6 faces as [[JPEG]] compressed images together with a header giving basic information how the panorama should be displayed.

One very wide spread cubic format is [[Quicktime|QuickTime]] VR. It consists of one file containing the 6 faces as [[JPEG]] compressed images together with a header giving basic information how the panorama should be displayed.

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Another cubic format is used by [[SPi-V]]. It consists of the 6 cubefaces in a single row or culomn. [[SPi-V]] treats any image with an [[Aspect Ratio|aspect ratio]] of exactly 6:1 as a cubic spherical panorama.

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Another cubic format is used by [[SPi-V]]. It consists of the 6 cubefaces in a single row or column. [[SPi-V]] treats any image with an [[Aspect Ratio|aspect ratio]] of exactly 6:1 as a cubic spherical panorama.

This is an unusal format that remaps a full sphere such that the ground looks like if it was a little planet. See [[Unusual remappings#Little planet|Unusual remappings]] for details.{{clr}}

=== Partial Formats ===

=== Partial Formats ===

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There is a number of possibilities to display partial panoramas - these are panoramas that don't fill the whole sphere in one or the other way. Partial panoramas can be displayed directly if they don't cover more than approximately 120� along the shorter side (that is they can be 360� in one direction but must be 120� or less in the other direction). The main formats are [[Cylindrical Projection|Cylindrical]] and [[Rectilinear Projection|Rectilinear]], but partial spherical panoramas are possible, too.

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There is a number of possibilities to display partial panoramas - these are panoramas that don't fill the whole sphere in one or the other way. Partial panoramas can be displayed directly if they don't cover more than approximately 120° along the shorter side (that is they can be 360° in one direction but must be 120° or less in the other direction). The main formats are [[Cylindrical Projection|Cylindrical]] and [[Rectilinear Projection|Rectilinear]], but partial spherical panoramas are possible, too.

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[[Image:Cylindrical.JPG|thumb|250px|cylindrical panorama format]]

==== Cylindrical ====

==== Cylindrical ====

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[[Cylindrical Projection|Cylindrical]] panoramas can show a full circle along the horizon or a part of it. They are very popular for landscape panoramas. If used for architectural subjects it might be of bother that horizontal lines (except the horizon itself) are bent.

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| [[Cylindrical Projection|Cylindrical]] panoramas can show a full circle along the horizon or a part of it. They are very popular for landscape panoramas. If used for architectural subjects it might bother that horizontal lines (except the horizon itself) are bend.

A special type of a [[Cylindrical Projection]] where the panorama is arched like on common orientation plates. See details on [[Unusual remappings#Orientation plate (arc)|Unusual remappings]].{{clr}}

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[[Image:Rectlinear.JPG|thumb|250px|rectilinear panorama format]]

==== Rectilinear ====

==== Rectilinear ====

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[[Rectilinear Projection|Rectilinear]] panoramas display the subject just like an ordinary (non-fisheye) lens would do. The horizontal and vertical field of view are limited to about 120°. Straight lines stay straight, hence they are good for architectural subjects. But if either field of view is too large they suffer from unnatural looking distortions in the corners.

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| [[Rectilinear Projection|Rectilinear]] panoramas display the subject just like an ordinary (non-fisheye) lens would do. The horizontal and vertical field of view are limited to about 120�. Straight lines stay straight, hence they are good for architectural subjects. But if either field of view is too large they suffer from unnatural looking distortions in the corners.

To partial spherical panoramas applies basically the same as to full sphericals (see above). In most cases they are used to cut off [[Zenith]] or [[Nadir]]. Vertical field of view has to be limited in this case to prevent the viewer from misinterpreting the source images.

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| To partial spherical panoramas applies basically the same as to full sphericals (see above). In most cases they are used to cut off [[Zenith]] or [[Nadir]]. Vertical field of view has to be limited in this case to prevent the viewer from misinterpreting the source images.

Contents

Full Spherical Formats

There are two main spherical formats: Equirectangular and Cubic. Both are able to display the whole sphere that surrounds us - 360° along the horizon, 90° up and 90° down. Specialized viewers are needed to view spherical panoramas.

equirectangular panorama format

Equirectangular

The equirectangular format is widely used by a couple of Panorama Viewers as for example PTViewer and SPi-V. It consists of a single image with an aspect ratio of 2:1 (that is, the width must be exactly twice the height).

cubic panorama format

Cubic

The cubic format uses 6 cube faces to fill the whole sphere around us. The image is remapped to the cubefaces which fit seamlessly.

One very wide spread cubic format is QuickTime VR. It consists of one file containing the 6 faces as JPEG compressed images together with a header giving basic information how the panorama should be displayed.

Another cubic format is used by SPi-V. It consists of the 6 cubefaces in a single row or column. SPi-V treats any image with an aspect ratio of exactly 6:1 as a cubic spherical panorama.

"Little Planet"

This is an unusal format that remaps a full sphere such that the ground looks like if it was a little planet. See Unusual remappings for details.

Partial Formats

There is a number of possibilities to display partial panoramas - these are panoramas that don't fill the whole sphere in one or the other way. Partial panoramas can be displayed directly if they don't cover more than approximately 120° along the shorter side (that is they can be 360° in one direction but must be 120° or less in the other direction). The main formats are Cylindrical and Rectilinear, but partial spherical panoramas are possible, too.

cylindrical panorama format

Cylindrical

Cylindrical panoramas can show a full circle along the horizon or a part of it. They are very popular for landscape panoramas. If used for architectural subjects it might be of bother that horizontal lines (except the horizon itself) are bent.

Arc formed

Rectilinear

Rectilinear panoramas display the subject just like an ordinary (non-fisheye) lens would do. The horizontal and vertical field of view are limited to about 120°. Straight lines stay straight, hence they are good for architectural subjects. But if either field of view is too large they suffer from unnatural looking distortions in the corners.

cutted equirectangular panorama format

Partial Spherical

To partial spherical panoramas applies basically the same as to full sphericals (see above). In most cases they are used to cut off Zenith or Nadir. Vertical field of view has to be limited in this case to prevent the viewer from misinterpreting the source images.